Amalfitano signs four-year deal at NUFC

As expected, Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Romain Amalfitano on a free transfer from newly promoted French side Stade de Reims.

And as expected the signing was confirmed just after I walked out of the door to go to work, hence the slight delay in writing this as I'm now in Belgium. Anyway I digress...

The 22-year-old Frenchman will join Newcastle officially when his contract expires at the end of June meaning that he will be registered as an NUFC player on July 1st such is the nature of pre-contract agreements. The midfielder becomes the first summer signing at St James' Park and spoke to the official club website as the news was announced.

"I am very happy to be a Newcastle player," said Romain. "I have seen a bit of the city already and it is a change from France but one I am really looking forward to."

"When a club like Newcastle wants you to play for them it can only be a good thing. I have taken the opportunity to play in the Premier League and cannot wait to get going."

Amalfitano joins an ever growing French contingent on Tyneside as the club seek to extract value from the transfer market. I'll happily admit that I know next to nothing abut the lad although he must be rated rather highly by our scouting department to warrant us making a move after spending so long in our sights.

I'm unsure what his role is going to be and whether he has been brought in as backup or whether he is here to challenge the first team but I guess time will tell. I certainly won't be making rash decisions based on the fact that I've not really heard of him and he will get his chance to show me, and others I'm sure, just what he can do.

If anyone does know more about him then please feel free to share the information. I'm sure it will be welcomed with open arms!

Welcome aboard Romain Amalfitano.